Roger Daltrey has shared a surprising update on the future of the Who, addressing former drummer Zak Starkey’s status with the band less than a year after he and Pete Townshend wrapped up the Who’s farewell tour, according to neon.reviewjournal.com.
In the interview, Daltrey addressed speculation about the band potentially performing at the Las Vegas Sphere, explaining why the traditional stage setup still appeals to him more than the immersive venue.
“I think the management may have had talks about playing there, but when I think about it, I don’t know whether it really interests me. I think the Sphere’s got its place,” Daltrey said. “There’s no doubt about that, and it is an extraordinary thing. But I like the energy from a show just to come from the stage. There’s something for me about just the old-fashioned stage without the cock walk. For me, the cock walk just completely disrupts the energy of the show.”
Meanwhile, Starkey, whose exit from the band was previously described as messy, has confirmed on social media that he is back behind the kit with the Who.
“The rehearsal was great. I don’t think we’ve ever rehearsed as tough as that. Usually, we drink tea and talk about what time we’re going home!” Starkey wrote.
The reconciliation appears to run deeper than a single quote exchange. Fresh details are emerging about how the reunion came together and what it might mean for the band’s touring plans.
Daltrey made the disclosure during a solo performance at the Encore Theatre in Las Vegas. He told the audience directly that the Who had already rehearsed with Starkey and that the session “sounded great,” as reported by Variety. The remark, delivered in the middle of solo renditions of “Who Are You” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” caught fans off guard given how bitter the drummer’s departure had been just over a year earlier.
Starkey was let go from the band in April 2025 amid reports that he had been dismissed for “overplaying.” Fans and press alike treated the split as one of the more acrimonious exits in the Who’s long history. Pete Townshend later acknowledged his own role in how the situation unfolded, saying he takes “responsibility for some of the confusion” surrounding Starkey’s firing.
Starkey responded to Daltrey’s Las Vegas announcement on Instagram, writing “Nice one Rog x. Lookin forward to tearin it up with The Who again.” The exchange, playing out in public between frontman and drummer, underscored just how quickly the relationship has thawed after months of public tension.
The rehearsals reportedly center on the possibility of extending the “Song Is Over” farewell tour into Europe. This suggests the band may not be finished performing together even after their widely publicized send-off. Whether those dates materialize remains to be seen. The renewed chemistry between Daltrey, Townshend and Starkey signals that the Who’s story is far from closed.
